Pakistan-Türkiye Nexus & India Stands

Syllabus: GS2/International Relations; GS3/Security

Context

• Türkiye’s support for Pakistan on Kashmir, along with defense collaborations, has raised concerns for India. 

Türkiye’s Strategic Interests in Pakistan

• Cold War Alliances: Türkiye and Pakistan were part of the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) and Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD), aligning their policies with Western-led security frameworks.
  • Pakistan supported Türkiye’s stance in Cyprus, even offering military assistance during the 1964 and 1971 crises.
  • In 1983, Pakistan declared that it would be the first country to recognize Turkish Cyprus if it declared independence, and it further strengthened the ideological bond between both countries.
• Countering Saudi-Emirati Influence: Türkiye, along with Qatar, has sought to challenge Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s dominance in the Muslim world.
  • The Kuala Lumpur Summit (2019), involving Pakistan, Türkiye, Malaysia, and Indonesia, was perceived as an alternative bloc to Riyadh’s leadership.
• Türkiye’s Focus on the Indian Ocean Region (IOR): Türkiye is expanding its presence in the Indian Ocean, establishing its largest overseas base in Somalia (2017).
  • In 2024, Türkiye sold Baykar TB2 drones to the Maldives, signaling growing influence in South Asia’s maritime domain.
  • The Turkish Navy has frequently conducted joint exercises with the Pakistan Navy, with limited engagements with the Indian Navy.

Türkiye-Pakistan Nexus

• Türkiye’s Support for Pakistan on Kashmir: Türkiye has regularly expressed solidarity with Pakistan on Kashmir, calling for international attention to the issue.
  • Pakistan has acknowledged Türkiye, China, and Azerbaijan as its key diplomatic allies during geopolitical crises.
• Türkiye’s Emergence as a Major Arms Supplier: According to SIPRI data, Turkish arms exports surged by 103% between 2015-2019 and 2020-2024.
  • By 2020, Türkiye had become Pakistan’s second-largest arms supplier (after China), providing advanced military equipment.
• Pakistan’s Acquisitions from Türkiye: Under the Military Consultative Group framework (established in 1988), Pakistan has secured multiple defense agreements with Türkiye.
  • The Ada-class anti-submarine corvette, and drone technology transfers highlight Türkiye’s commitment to Pakistan’s military modernization.
• Economic and Strategic Agreements: Pakistan and Türkiye have signed multiple agreements covering trade, defense, and intelligence cooperation.
  • The Pakistan-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) facilitates joint initiatives in energy, finance, and security.

Türkiye-Pakistan Nexus and Its Impact on India

• Strengthening Ties with Greece and Cyprus: India has consistently engaged and supported the Greece-backed Republic of Cyprus, countering Türkiye and Pakistan’s endorsement of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
  • Greece, in turn, has backed India’s stance on Kashmir, reinforcing diplomatic solidarity.
• Military Cooperation with Armenia: India has emerged as one of the strongest military supporters of Armenia, particularly in its territorial dispute with Türkiye-backed Azerbaijan.
  • By late 2024, India surpassed Russia as Armenia’s largest arms supplier, a remarkable development in global arms trade.
• Pakistan’s Alignment with Azerbaijan: Pakistan has continued to reject the recognition of the Armenian genocide, aligning with Türkiye-supported Azerbaijan.
  • In 2024, Pakistan signed a $1.6 billion defense deal to supply Azerbaijan with JF-17 Thunder Block III fighter jets, further strengthening its trilateral alliance with Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

Geopolitical Shifts Benefiting India

• U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy (2022): It omitted any reference to Pakistan, and, in contrast, India was mentioned five times.
• India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Bypasses Türkiye: It challenges Türkiye’s role as the bridge between Asia and Europe.
  • Türkiye openly criticized IMEC, pushing to pursue its own Asia-Europe corridor—the Iraq Development Road.

India’s Response and Strategic Positioning

• Strengthening Regional Alliances: India has deepened ties with Saudi Arabia, UAE, and other Gulf nations, countering Türkiye’s influence.
  • The India-Greece defense partnership has emerged as a counterbalance to Türkiye’s regional ambitions.
• Diplomatic Engagements: India has reiterated that Kashmir remains a bilateral issue, rejecting Türkiye’s interventionist stance.
  • India continues to engage global partners to reinforce its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Military Preparedness: India has enhanced its air defense systems and naval capabilities, ensuring readiness against regional security threats.
  • The S-400 missile system and indigenous defense projects strengthen India’s strategic deterrence.

Conclusion

• The Pakistan-Türkiye nexus presents geopolitical challenges for India, particularly in defense and diplomatic spheres.
• By reinforcing regional partnerships, military capabilities, and diplomatic outreach, India can effectively counter emerging threats while maintaining strategic stability.

Source: IE